New Series

So...my sister and I found a new series that we've been watching....well, it is actually going on its second season this fall, but if you have Netflix, you can catch the first season online. It is called 'Sanctuary' and will be on the new improved SyFy channel.

If you like the legends of old like the Folding man, Big Foot, animal mixed humanoids, and just things that go bump in the night, you will enjoy this dark fantasy/sci-fi show. Dr. Helen Magnus (played by Amanda Tapping) is a beautiful scientist that seems to has wisdom beyond her years and with the help of her daughter, Ashley (Emilie Ullerup) and a few other various colleagues, offer sanctuary for the world's 'abnormals', or creatures and beings that come from our legends and myths

Joining their little group is Dr. Will Zimmerman (Robin Dunne), a forensic psychiatrist whose mother was killed by something evil when he was young. Of course, laughed off as just a young boy in trauma, Will is ignored and becomes an eccentric...good at his job, but regarded as crazy. When a case that is not all that it seems lands in his sights, Will comes face to face with Dr. Magnus and her collection of creatures.As the pilot concludes, Helen offers Will a job, to work with her and protect the 'abnormals' finding them and giving them a sanctuary away from the destructive humans, who don't understand them.

Sanctuary reminds me a little of 'X-files' and has the dark raw humor of series like 'Angel' and 'Buffy'. Its characters are well developed and fun, though I have only watched a few episodes. The special effects are television quality and the action is believable or as much as a fantasy show can make it. As for the story lines, they are well played, interesting, and keep you guessing throughout the show.

If you miss the good fantasy felt in 'Angel', or the investigations in 'X-files', 'Sanctuary' offers that in a dark and fun way. It's an extremely entertaining romp and comes back this fall on the SyFy channel. Watch and enjoy!!

'Sanctuary" returns this fall...check out its website for more info.....

http://www.sanctuaryforall.com/

Wow!! Has it been awhile...

So....since my last post...I have moved...which to most is such a big undertaking that one tends to go completely insane in the process, requiring one to ask their local Psych for meds to make brain return to normal...thankfully, I was already quite crazy to begin with so no meds for me....I have started writing full time....well as mush as full time is at least a few hours every day with the benefits of a co author most of those who has gotten use to my craziness...as seem above and is less likely to talk to his psych into offering me said meds to calm me down or him down depending on how much of an influence I am on him...I just hope I don't drive him to drink, since that's what my hubby says...though I think he just likes an excuse to have a cold beer when he gets home....I have both kids home....the blessed school year is over and has now opened up the summer to both my kids and now that having a backyard is wonderful, there is still the nagging 'moms' that come with both kids home....and they wonder why I am crazy....try having a three year old and an eight year old who are polar opposites of each other in a house where their mommy is trying hard to write...I have learned to have selective hearing...whether it be cries or crashes.....thankfully, each still has all their limbs and they are still in one piece.....So if you wonder where I have gone....see above. All other complaints....well, email me!!! ;)

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Firefly Fans

If you are a Firefly Fan and have not experienced the wonderful world of Fireflyfans.net, then you should take a few minutes and go. There you will discover original stories, artwork, and wonderful people who have not lost the signal and who hope that one day the wonderful series will return. For those who know not what I speak of, Dear Reader, please check it out on Hulu, Blockbuster, or on Netflix. I know right now you can watch Serenity instantly on Netflix so please give it a try. You might find out just what the big deal about being a Browncoat really is.

So please stop by and visit us at Fireflyfans.net. I am there with my OC characters Angelle and Cat as well as are my friends, Jane and Ali. Both great writers and awesome people to hang with.

http://www.fireflyfans.net/

Bolt Review

So, my family rented Walt Disney's Bolt from Netflix over the weekend and like most movies we get, I always watch it first as the reviewer and then another time as just entertainment, unless I really don't care for it. Well, to make a long story short, I ended up watching it three times and even after the third, I still laughed and loved it.

Following in the wonderfully entertaining animal stories like Finding Nemo and Chicken Little, Bolt opens with the adventures of a young pup becoming a Wonder dog, able to leap huge distances and melt metal with his powerful stare. Above all, is his SUPER-Bark, which can destroy everything with its power. He does all this to keep his owner, Penny from the evil clutches of Dr. Calico. The only problem is he thinks it's real when really it is just TV.

Imagine his surprise when some events drop him on the completely opposite side of the country and releases him into the real world away from the rubber props and plastic guns. Now, Bolt has to become a 'real' dog and manage a way back to his Penny and Hollywood. Along for the ride is alley cat, Mittens who is street wise and must explain to her captor that he is in fact a real dog void of powers. To make the trio, well, a trio is Rhino, the danger craving Rhino the hamster. With his antics and pure belief that Bolt is exactly who he says he is, the three begin a one way trek cross country that will take Bolt from the TV hero he's not to a 'real' hero that might just find friends in places he never thought he would find.

Walt Disney truly has another masterpiece here with familiar voices like Miley Cyrus and John Travolta and great animation that is synonymous with the Disney name. The characters will make you fall in love with Bolt and his unwavering courage, Mittens and her street wise attitude, and Rhino and his belief in impossible thing. It truly is a gorgeous story of the impossible dreams of three very normal house pets.

What I woke Up to this morning

This is what I woke up to. It finally ended around 5 pm. Earlier in the week, we were in the 80s.

Let the snow fall down....

just as long as I have my friends and family and heater to keep me warm.

Dollhouse "Getting Good"

So, several more weeks and episodes later and I must admit, Dollhouse, by Firefly and Buffy creator Joss Whedon has really taken the world by storm. It had a lack luster start, making some not want to tune in for the next episode, but those of us die hard Whedon junkies, were rewarded when we continued to be loyal and know that if Joss is the one writing it, then it has to get better. Plus, we all know what Fox did to Firefly so who knows what they might have been trying on Dollhouse.

Last weeks episode though, really amazed me and others like me. It began to fill out the story behind the Dollhouse, instead of just teasing us with bits and pieces and tonight's episode sounds like it's just going to get better from here on out.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Dollhouse name, the series is about young women and men called actives that are 'programmed' to be whoever they are needed to be. Hired by the wealthy to be the perfect date or hired to enact justice in some form or another, they are then stripped of all knowledge by having their memories wiped and bringing them back to a child like state. Sadly, they have no memory of their past or of any other 'life' they might have had. There is no idea whether they have done this voluntarily or not.

So, if you are one who watch one episode and decided to give up or if you are just tuning in, give the Dollhouse a try. It might just surprise you. Oh, and in the vase are three flowers and one of them is yellow. Don't get it....watch!!!

Author Spot: Rita Mae Brown

Well, I'm sick in bed with a cold and I find that when I am in this particular spot, I always seem to reach for a book that I've read before. One of my favorite authors that I tend to grab is Rita Mae Brown.

Be it her wonderful Mrs. Murphy and Tee Tucker series or the Fox hunting adventure of Sister, I find that I love reading them over and over again. Her way with how animals think and what they would say has me rolling on the floor. even tossing a look at my cat as he stares at me wondering what he might be saying.

For those not familiar with her writings, Ms. Brown writes mysteries, most set in smaller towns in Central Virginia. Both have something to do with the tradition of Fox Hunting, though 'Sister' Arnold's stories (e.g. Full Cry, Outfoxed, The Hunt Ball, etc.) are centered around the sport. Each has their own set of animal characters that 'talk', but only to each other. It lends a fun side to the art of murder that some books lack.

Her co-author for the Mrs. Murphy mysteries is her striped tabby Sneaky Pie Brown, who bears an extraordinary resemblance to the main 'cat'ater in the books, Mrs. Murphy. Together with her friends, Tee Tucker (a welsh corgi) and Pewter ( a fat grey feline always in search of food), they help their always curious owner, Mary Minor 'Harry' Haristeen solve the case without getting killed in the process.

If you haven't read anything by Rita Mae, I implore you to. She is a wonderful writer that puts her whole heart into her stories. Her characters are so real you wonder if they actually exist somewhere in the world and you can tell by the way she writes each of their struggles, that she truly cares what happens to them. Even the settings of her novels wrap you in the art of New England and its lush traditions, some of which are dying out.

So, if you are searching for a book to spend an afternoon with or something to take with you on your next flight, pick up on of the many books in Rita Mae Brown's creative library. You might just find yourself looking at your pet wondering just what it might be thinking.

For a list of her books, please stop by her website at http://www.ritamaebrown.com/content/index.asp

Close Encounters Review

Are you a fan of Anne McCaffrey with her ships that speak, and races that seem to mean more than meets the eye? How about a heroine that is genetically engineered to protect that which she is swore to protect and that was satisfied with traveling the cosmos with her ship until fate lad her to the burly arms of a tribal man? Well, look no further than the debut novel of Katherine Allred, Close Encounters.

Meet Kiera Smith, a GEP(Genetically Engineered Person) with her cocky ship, Max and the rock cat that is just a little more intelligent than what's go for him, Crigo. Their job is to search for new life forms, map new planets, and basically trek through the galaxy. Though Kiera is okay with her life, the longing to be normal eats at her, even though she is very special indeed.
When a call comes in from her maker, Daniels, Kiera jumps at the chance to save a race and see why a major corporation has taken such an interest in a planet. What she finds is a primitive race that is gentle and may just be what she has been looking for, even though she might just have to fight to save it.

As I started this novel, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I am not a big sci fi fan, though I did enjoy Anne McCaffrey and others like her. This book, though, truly surprised me. Reading like an urban fantasy with lush environments and memorable characters that draw you in, Allred immerses her readers into a place where those wanting good plot get it and those wanting a romance with action are equally satisfied.

With scenes that are violent and others that will take your sexual breath away, this is definitely for the older reader, but is definitely worth a read or two. Even if you are not into sci fi and like the feel of urban fantasy, this book might appeal to you. So, take a ride on a ship called Max and enjoy the creative mind of Katherine Allred in Close Encounters.....